2013 Toyota Camry Comfort & Quality

The Camry still has one of the smoothest, most comfortable rides of the mainstream mid-size sedans; and with the latest version Toyota has succeesed in giving this model not only a more upscale feel but a little more interior space.

As opposed to some sedans that have more of a cockpit-influenced design in front—like the Kia Optima—the Toyota Camry pushes the dash forward and the corners outward, for an airier feel from the front seats. There's both more perceived space and more real, useful space; and last year's redesign brought thinned pillars from the inside plus reshaped door panels—changes that are subtle individually, but ones that add up.

The 2013 Camry is quiet, spacious, and smooth-riding—and the SE is worth the upgrade for its better-bolstered seats.

This is one of the better mid-size sedans for taller adults. The back of the center console was reshaped, while front seats were redesigned, altogether for more rear knee and legroom. Three adults still might feel a little tight back there, but only because of shoulder room.

Rear seatbacks don't quite fold all the way flat in the Camry, and the trunk opening may make loading long objects from IKEA or Home Depot a little challenging. That's probably not the intended purpose of the trunk, though, and there's plenty of space for large suitcases or a big family's grocery run. Also of note is that Camry Hybrid models no longer sacrifice rear seating comfort or trunk space; the battery pack has become smaller and lighter compared to the previous model—although you'll still give up some trunk space compared to the other models.

The sporty SE model rides a bit harsher, but it's worth it for the better seats you get; they're more aggressively contoured—helping both to reduce fatigue and hold you in place in corners—and noticeably better than the spongy, flat ones you get in the most affordable Camry models.

The 2013 Toyota Camry is surprisingly quiet and well isolated from road and engine noise, thanks in part to added sound insulation and more layers of metal at the firewall. Trims, materials, and fine details are no longer on the chintzy side, as they have been for Camry's past; they're a little traditional looking, yet upscale. And it feels that extra attention has been paid to what's close at hand—for instance, in the chunky multi-function controllers on either side of the steering wheel, positioned right where your thumbs can be.